Following an increase in arrests by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) outside immigration court hearings, volunteers are taking action to assist those at risk of deportation. These volunteers, including faith leaders, students, and retirees, provide moral and logistical support to immigrants and families, often helping them prepare for potential detention. Legal aid groups are also adapting to the changing landscape, as government officials are asking judges to dismiss cases, which leads to immediate arrests. Despite facing challenges and potential legal consequences, volunteers are recording detentions and aiding families in navigating the immigration system.
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Two recent cases in England’s High Court revealed lawyers citing fabricated cases generated by AI, prompting judges to warn of potential prosecution for failing to verify research accuracy. Justice Victoria Sharp emphasized the serious implications for the justice system’s integrity and public trust. One case involved 18 nonexistent cases cited in a £90 million lawsuit, while another involved five fake cases in a housing claim. Although the lawyers were referred to professional regulators, the judges highlighted the potential for contempt of court charges, or even the more severe charge of perverting the course of justice, for such misconduct.
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The Trump administration ended a contract with the Acacia Center for Justice, eliminating legal aid for approximately 26,000 unaccompanied migrant children. This action leaves vulnerable children to navigate the complex immigration court system alone, despite legal protections afforded them under the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2008. While the government claims it still meets legal requirements, the termination raises serious concerns about the well-being of these children. The contract’s end, cited as “for the Government’s convenience,” comes just days before its renewal date, prompting fears of a complete system collapse.
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Following a stop-work order issued Tuesday, the Trump administration reversed course Friday, rescinding the order and allowing the Acacia Center for Justice to resume providing legal services to nearly 26,000 unaccompanied migrant children. The initial order halted funding for all activities under the center’s federal contract, jeopardizing legal representation for vulnerable children navigating the immigration system. This reversal ensures the continuation of vital legal aid, preventing a potential “cataclysmic collapse” of nonprofit legal services for immigrant children. The Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of the Interior have not yet commented publicly.
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John Q. Hosedrinker